#livefreeThursday: I’d rather be a late bloomer

We were sitting around the family table when my mom announced, “Suzie, you didn’t talk until you were four.”

Um, what?

That was news to me.

“So are you saying that I was quiet?”

“Nope, you didn’t talk at all. In fact, we were worried about you.”

Well, isn’t that peachy. I was a late bloomer. A really late bloomer. Which makes the fact that God invited me to talk and write that much more a miracle.

It’s ironic. Was He sitting around in Heaven, saying something like this:

Let’s choose the one who no one else would think to pick.

It wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to think that this took place, because the same God chose a stutterer to speak for a nation, a despised tax collector to carry on the Gospel, and a little guy with a meager lunch to provide for thousands.

Maybe you came to your faith late in life. Can God still use your life to impact others?

Yes.

Perhaps you spent a lot of years running from your call, but now you’re waving joyfully in surrender; is there still time?

Yes.

Maybe you’ve wasted time comparing yourself to others because you forget that He uniquely created you for such a time as this. Is it possible that God can redeem that wasted time and lead you to the path carved out for you?

Yes, yes, yes!

I’m a late bloomer. Not just in talking. I was the “fix-a-flat” girl at 14 (if you were too, you’ll get this).

I shied away from new friendships for way too long out of insecurity.

I fought speaking for years because I thought someone else would be a better fit.

And then I bloomed.

Physically. . .

That super late blooming meant that the skinny-girl-thats-not-gonna-be-noticed learned to focus on the inner stuff, because that’s where I could actually do something. That became a gift.

Spiritually

That late blooming meant that the girl not raised in church could clearly see the difference between having Jesus and not having Him, and chose (and continues to choose) Jesus all the way.

Emotionally.

That late blooming meant that I had to trust God when He called me to do things outside my comfort zone. Which means that I get to partner with Him, rather than step on stage in my own confidence.

It’s better to be a late bloomer than to never bloom at all.

Are you looking in the mirror and thinking it’s too late?

It’s not.

Are you watching a child and thinking that their late blooming is going to hold them back?

You might be surprised at the plans God has for that child.

Are you watching a relationship unfold or a marriage begin to flicker with hope and you’re wondering if it’s enough?

It is.

I’m a late bloomer.

Are you?

Suzie

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Comments

Oh Suzie, your post made me smile. I just realized that my brillient, dyslexic daughter –2 years to learn to read!!! — was a VERY late talker, and I’d forgotten that. She’s blooming now at 15. I’m a late bloomer in some areas myself. Wondering why I waited until 50 to start this writing thing! Looking forward to seeing more blooms in my life in the future. More blooms in the lives of writing sisters, too. 🙂

So encouraging, Suzie! Thank you for sharing this powerful truth. I just read this very quote from George Eliot this week, in a bathroom stall of all places! Thank you for hosting this amazing link up and community. It’s a gift to be a part of it! Blessings!!

Ahh Suzie. So good. This introvert who shied away from almost everything felt myself in so many of your examples. “Are you looking in the mirror and thinking it’s too late? It’s not.” Thank you for your confidence in me – in all us girls that are reading this today.

Suzie,
That’s a cool story! And yet another trophy for God’s trophy case! 🙂
Plus I learned something this time around…
I need to “bloom” the way I bloom. Sometimes I feel like an ugly ducking in a white swan world. The way I do stuff doesn’t always look like I think it should. (i.e. we are talking about “blooming” and suddenly I am telling the story of the ugly duckling ? lol)But I have to be okay with that. We are all different and that is a good thing! Even if I sometimes feel a little extra “different.” lol

This conversation sounds familiar. 🙂 When I think about blooming, in many aspects of life, it always brings hope. It takes my eyes off of the negative and refocuses on God’s purpose, his hope. The Almighty has a way of doing that, doesn’t he? Always the encourager, you are appreciated! #GoJesus

Suzie,
I love this. It is never too late. I love the benefits that you pointed out physically, spiritually, and emotionally. God knows what He’s doing, and what may seem like wasted time to us does not to Him. Your post reminded me of the words of 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” There is much to be said for the season of growing in our faith – blooming if you will. God is working to prepare us for the kingdom purposes He ordained for us before the foundation of the world.
Blessings friend,
Kamea

Your words from God straight to my heart this morning. I was *just* standing over my kitchen sink praying and mulling about a child that has bloomed later than his/her siblings. Praying even more now for wisdom to parent this child that God created so wonderfully and fearfully. Many blessings to you today!

Yours is such a beautiful perspective. I was a physically late bloomer…very tough on the self-acceptance and feeling pretty! It’s a journey, better late than never for sure!!! Thank you for sharing your story of growth and encouraging us to do the same, bloom! Excited to be visiting for my first #livefreethursday. 🙂 Your site is wonderful.

Meg, welcome! I hope it’s not your last. <3 Come back every Thursday and join this amazing conversation of brave girls who love God and who desire to share their stories, their thoughts, and how we can live free in Him.

My husband and I married “later” than most in our part of the country, and took a fair amount of heat for it at the time. Our response to the “late bloomer” thing was always a smile and the words you used: “Hey, at least we bloomed!” Thanks for the good memories this morning.

Suzie – I love this picture of blooming! 🙂 Gosh – this make me have hope for so many things – in my own life and in those of my loved ones. Thank you!

(Also – I accidentally posted the wrong link at first in the link-up. So I added the second one. I’m sorry!! I don’t know how to delete the first link I added! It looks like there are 2 of the same link though. 🙁 OOPS!)

Trackbacks

[…] Linking up this afternoon with my friend Suzie Eller…If you would like to read more stories of women grappling with difficult moments of life so you are reminded you’re not alone, please click here. […]